Voluntary groups have received a lifeline in recent months, thanks to the county's crime commissioner.

Peter McCall, Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, created the Covid-19 Community Recovery Fund to see all charities and key groups get the vital support they need during the pandemic.

And a healthy handful have recently reaped the benefits, with more than £115,000 being shared out in the last few months – and more than £37,000 of that going to life-saving teams just last month.

The fund aims to help voluntary groups and charities cope with the financial impact of coronavirus, offering immediate support to organisations that are helping individuals, families and communities to recover and rebuild since lockdown restrictions started to ease.

Mr McCall said: “Additional demands and costs, caused as a result of lockdown restrictions, have meant that many organisations are now struggling financially, and this fund is all about supporting our local charities and community groups.

“We have already had a very positive response from people applying to the Covid-19 Community Recovery Fund and I urge applications to come forward as soon as possible."

The total available funding stands at £250,000, and all groups are able to apply for up to £5,000 by August 31.

Those benefitting from July's funding include; Age UK Carlisle and Eden, Time to Share Bereavement Services, Wath Brow Hornets, Egremont Youth Partnership, Bay Trust Radio (covering south Cumbria),Give a Day to the City (at Carlisle), Carlisle Refugee Action Group, and Resource Creatives.

Mr McCall continued: “[The funding] will be used on projects such as outreach sessions via digital platforms and socially distanced youth work in Egremont, looking at topics such as risk taking behaviour, challenging anti-social activities, personal development, self-care and welfare during Covid-19."

For more details on the funding, and how to apply, visit www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk